Word of the Week - PROCESS


How can I type about the word PROCESS when I haven't had any coffee? I forgot to keep track of the milk level in the fridge and there's none. I drink coffee with milk, people!

Dixie, Dixie - SNAP OUT OF IT! You can funciton without coffee.

Oh, yeah? Do you see how I spelled the word function in that sentence?

Well, the word of the week is PROCESS. Which means a systematic series of actions directed to some end OR a continuous action, operation, or series of changes taking place in a definite manner. The idea is that you can start at point A and get to point Z with a systematic series of actions.

Well, I partially love that idea and I partially rebel against that idea. Because there are some things that lend themselves well to systematic series of actions resulting in a product. But I've found that the art pieces I've loved the most have an element of serendipity to them. Like making monoprints. There's a definite series of actions involved in making a monoprint. But then there's the "chance" part of it as well - how wet the paper is, how much ink you put on the plate, how much pressure is in the press when you roll it through the press. That isn't so exact. And can yield in some wonderful and horrible results.

In artmaking, in leading, and in life, you have to have a plan of some sort. But you also have to be willing to flex and change as the materials or life's circumstances dictate. That's what process means to me - have a plan, and change the plan as needed.

3 comments:

Deborah said...

Coffee without milk? pshaw!!!

Nice post on process......

Denise Aumick said...

Canned milk - I'm telling you - canned milk....

"Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual." - Arthur Koestler

Penny Cork said...

I use half & half, but, anytime you run out of what you want, it fairly well sucks!

Jon Bon Jovi (the scholar and musician) said that you should write out your plans in pencil. That seems to be good advice, or, a good process to follow.


"Do not let what you cannot do
keep you from doing what you can do."

John Wooden